Collision of the COVID-19 and Addiction Epidemics

Ann Intern Med. 2020 Jul 7;173(1):61-62. doi: 10.7326/M20-1212. Epub 2020 Apr 2.

Abstract

People with substance use disorder may be especially susceptible to COVID-19, and compromised lung function from COVID-19 could also put at risk those who have opioid use disorder and methamphetamine use disorder. This commentary describes the risks of the collision of the COVID-19 and addiction epidemics.

Keywords: Addiction; Brain; COVID-19; Cancer prevention; Drug therapy; Health care; Lungs; Opioids; Population statistics; Pulmonary diseases.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / transmission
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious / prevention & control*
  • Epidemics*
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / transmission
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*